Passport center expansion, new firm could add 240 jobs at Pease

Saturday

Dec 19, 2009 at 3:15 AM

By CHARLES McMAHONcmcmahon@fosters.com

PORTSMOUTH — The Pease International Tradeport could soon realize a major boom in employment thanks to the expansion of the National Passport Center and the construction of a new inpatient facility from Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital.

Nearly 240 jobs are estimated to be created between the two development projects, according to David Mullen, executive director of the Pease Development Authority.

With the passport center planning a four-story, 26,000-square-foot addition to its already 75,000-square-foot facility, it is expected the center will realize between 125-150 new jobs as a result, said Mullen. The expansion effort means the 207 International Drive facility will retain employees from its former facility located at 31 Rochester Ave. and will also conduct additional hiring.

In July the center had a staff of nearly 800 employees and the announcement means it could soon have nearly 1,000 employees on hand, said Mullen.

Pease officials also expect another 90 new jobs as a result the Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital entering into a 50-year lease agreement to construct a $16 million facility at 105 Corporate Drive. The 46,000-square-foot, two-story facility will be located on the vacant 7.3-acre parcel and is anticipated to serve up to 623 patients requiring rehabilitative services.

The new facility is scheduled to break ground in February. Mullen said the new hospital is expected to hire both full-time and part-time employees, which equates to about 90 jobs total.

The construction of the new facility will mark the company's third acute rehabilitation hospital.

With news of more jobs coming to Pease, Mullen said the tradeport should continue to see its total number of employees hover around the 7,000 mark. In addition to direct employees working at the tradeport, Mullen said another 3,500 jobs relevant to Pease are also important to consider.

While he said he acknowledges Pease has had its ups and downs in the current economic recession, none of it compares to hard economic times experienced in 2003.

"Back in 2003, that recession impacted us more severely," Mullen said.

At the time Pease lost nearly one-third of its workforce and saw its employment numbers drop from 6,300 to 4,300.

Despite Pease taking some hits this time around, Mullen said he considers the tradeport to be poised for new growth.

Some of the Pease businesses unable to weather the recession in the past year included Fisher Controls Division of Emerson, which announced the closing of its manufacturing facility and the loss of 90 jobs, as well as Rivulet Communications Inc. being bought out and sending 30 jobs to Virginia.

In February, Cisco Systems Inc. announced the closure of its Pease office and a layoff of almost 40 employees.

Many other Tradeport businesses have downsized as well.

"We have lost some jobs, but I think we've also picked up jobs," said Mullen.

Some of the success stories at the tradeport include Salient Surgical Technologies opening a new 56,658-square-foot facility this year. Great Bay Kids day care facility is expected to open on International Drive in January. Ocean Properties plans to build a new 72,000-square-foot office building, and 2 International Group has conceptual designs for a new 70,000-square-foot office building at 29 New Hampshire Ave., said Mullen.

In addition, the tradeport will have its first gas station and convenience store at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Manchester Square next spring or summer.

"I think the good news is we're doing things that are continuing to be positive," Mullen said. "We continue to see people show an interest in Pease.

With between 60 and 75 acres of developable land still available on the non-airport side of the tradeport, Mullen said Pease is continuing to fare well in the current economy and has plenty of room for growth.